Production of artificial threads and the like from viscose, and in apparatus therefor



March 7, 1933.

H. J. HEGAN ET AL PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL THREADS AND THE LIKE FROM VISCOSE, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed May 18, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS HORACE JAMES HEGAN EDWARD HAZELEY Ziwz'r aiiorneys March 7, 1933. H J HEGAN AL 1.900.811

PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL THREADS AND THE LIKE FROM VISCOSE, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed May 18, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS HORACE JAMES HEGAN EDWARD HAZELEY 11y Zizez'r ally/legs Patented Mar. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HORACE JAMES HEGAN AND EDWARD HAZELEY, OF COVENTRY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR}. TO COURTAULDS LIMITED, 01 LONDON, ENGLAND, A BRITISH COMPANY PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL THREADS AND THE LIKE FROM VISCOSE, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR Application filed May 18, 1929, Serial No. 364,188, and in Great Britain May 29, 1928.

This invention relates to the conversion of viscose into artificial threads and the like, by protruding the viscose through a suitable nozzle into an acid precipitating bath.

According to this invention the thread, after leaving the precipitating bath is led over a rotating wheel, and thence practically vertically downwards onto or round a second rotating wheel, while water, or other liquid is allowed to act on the thread as it passes round the second wheel. This action of the liquid on the thread may be brought about by allowing the lower part of the wheel to dip into a bath of the liquid, or the liquid may be allowed to drip onto the wheel or onto the thread as it reaches the wheel, or one or more of these methods may be employed simultaneously in order to ensure that the liquid will act on the thread, as it passes round the said second wheel. After leaving the second wheel, the thread may be led over a third such rotating wheel, and thence to the collecting device, such for example as a rotating box, or a revolving bobbin, or the thread may pass directly to such collecting device, without the interposition of a third rotating wheel. During its passage round or collection on the third rotating wheel, the thread may also be treated with water or other liquid, in a manner similar to that already described in connection with the second rotating wheel.

The surface speed of the second wheel may be the same as, or greater than, that of the first wheel, and in the latter case the thread will be stretched between the two wheels. If by the action of the water or other liquid on the second wheel, or by any other means, a contraction of the thread takes place, it may be desirable to adjust the speed of the third wheel to less than the speed of the second wheel.

This invention is particularly suitable for use when producing threads from viscose, by spinning into a bath containing a large proportion of acid, for instance per cent or more of sulphuric acid, as described in the British s ecification of British Letters Patent No. 2 7 4521, or 45 per cent to 55 per cent of sulphuric acid as described in the British specification of British Letters Patent No.

281,351 or other mineral acids as described in the British specification of British Letters Patent No. 274,690. By means of this invention we are able to obtain threads of better quality than those obtainable by the usual methods of spinning, in which the thread is led upwards from the precipitating bath.

By means of this invention threads of better quality with a lesser percentage of seconds are obtainable than by processes heretofore known. Applicants are unable to state definitely at this time exactly why threads produced in accordance with this process are of better quality.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent diagrammatically two arrangements for carrying out the process according to this invention but the inven tion is not restricted thereto. In each of Figures 1 and 2, A represents the nozzle dipping into the precipitating bath contained in the vessel B. The viscose, issuing fromthe nozzle A, takes the form of a thread A which is passed over a first wheel C, then Vertically downwards to a second wheel D,

the lower part of which dips into a trough E, containing water or other suitable liquid. The thread, after passing round the wheel D, is taken to a third wheel F, and thence through a funnel G into a spinning box H. In Figure 1,. the three wheels C, D and F are practically in one plane, while in Figure 2, the wheels D and F are in a plane which is at right angles to the plane of the wheel 0. If desired the thread, after leaving the precipitating bath, in the vessel B, may pass lightly over a guide rod K, as shown in Figure 2. Care should be taken to ensure that the wheel exercises the necesary grip on the thread, for example, if the wheels are of small diameter, the threads can be passed once or more times round the wheels.

What we claim is 1. In the production of artificial threads and the like from viscose, passing the thread after it leaves the precipitating bath over a rotating wheel and thence practically vertically downwards on to a second rotating wheel, and causing a fluid to act on the thread as it passes round the said second wheel and thence to a collecting device.

2. Inthe roduction of artificial threads and the like rom viscose, passing the thread after it leaves the precipitating bath, over a rotating wheel and thence practically vertically downwards on to a second rotating wheel, and causing a fluid to act on the thread as it passes round the said second wheel, then passing the thread over a third wheel, and passing the thread thence to a collecting device.

3. In apparatus for the production of artificial threads and the like from viscose, a spinning nozzle adapted to dip into a precipitating bath, a rotating wheel, practically on a horizontal level with the spinning bath, a second rotating wheel situated practically vertically below the first rotating wheel with means for causing fluid to act onthe thread under treatment and a collecting device for receiving the thread from the second rotating wheel.

4. In apparatus for the production of artificial threads and the like from viscose, a spinning nozzle adapted to dip into a precipitating bath, a rotating wheel practically on a horizontal level with the spinning bath, a second rotating wheel situated practically vertically below the first rotating wheel with means for causing fluid to act on the said thread, a third rotating wheel adapted to receive the thread from the second rotating wheel, and a collecting device to which the said. thread is finally passed.

5. In apparatus for the production of artificial threads or the like from viscose as claimed in claim 4 including means for adjusting the speed of the third wheel to less than that of the second Wheel substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

HORACE JAMES HEGAN. EDWARD HAZELEY. 

